DOG owners are being warned to be vigilant after a pet was poisoned in Guiseley in what is believed to have been a deliberate attempt to cause harm.

The warning has been issued by White Cross Vets who treated Monty, a one year old miniature schnauzer after he ate cereal laced with rat poison as he was being exercised close to Nethermoor Park and Guiseley Cricket Club.

The vet says the poisoning appears to have been deliberate and mirrors a number of similar incidents in October 2014.

Monty's owner noticed the dog was eating cereal off the floor, and when the food was tested by the vet it was found to be laced with rat poison, which can be fatal to dogs.

Rod Beardshall from the Guiseley-based vets said: "Thankfully we have been able to successfully treat Monty and he doesn’t appear to have suffered any lasting damage but others might not be so lucky. Dogs are naturally inquisitive and will nearly always pick food up so owners need to keep a particularly close eye on them at the moment to make sure they don’t eat rogue substances which could have devastating consequences.

"Common symptoms of possible poisoning usually include passing blood, vomiting, spotty or pale gums as well as appearing lethargic. Anyone who suspects their pet may have eaten a poisonous substance should contact their vet immediately."

He added: "This isn’t the first time we’ve seen cases of deliberate poisoning of dogs in this part of Guiseley. In October 2014, marshmallows stuffed with rat poison, screws and ball bearings were scattered in the same location and it’s very worrying that this is now being repeated 15 months on. It’s terrible to think that people could be so cruel to try and harm a dog in this way and we would urge anyone that sees anything suspicious to contact the police straightaway."

In 2014 dozens of marshmallows laced with poison and filled with nails and ball bearings were found on a field near Guiseley Cricket, close to a children's play area, and on Otley Chevin.

Pictures of the tainted treats, thought to have been put out to poison dogs, were posted online by Take My Paw, a group which supports the work of animal charities across West Yorkshire. The post was viewed almost five million times, by people as far away as America and Canada.